Mansard Roof Second Empire House

Second empire style homes share the characteristic mansard roof a steeply sloping roof with slightly flared eaves.

Mansard roof second empire house. In second empire buildings the mansard roof must be the dominant feature not a subsidiary one. The steep pitch of the roof yields more usable space beneath it than a traditional gable roof. The most prominent feature of the second empire style is a mansard roof named after 17th century french architect francois mansart. You might for example have a queen anne house with a gabled main roof and a mansard roofed tower.

Such a house is still a queen anne not a second empire. Grand front porch soaring ceilings grand staircases and architectural details throughout. At its most elaborate the look was sometimes described as a wedding cake. The term second empirerefers to the empire that louis napoleon napoleon iii established in france during the mid 1800s.

Beautiful second empire italianate of 3600 sq ft on over 5 5 acres in saratoga springs. Single family home built in 1881 that sold on 01 29 2018. However the tall mansard roofthat we associate with the style dates back to renaissance times. The mansard roof disguises an additional story of living space.

In the same way many stick style houses have mansard roofs but they are not second empire because it is the stick style features that dominate the design. The mansard roof is a ubiquitous feature in american second empire houses built between 1860 and 1890. The second empire style s popularity led to a widespread remodeling boom during which mansard roofs were incorporated into formerly pitched roof residences. During the renaissance in italy and france many buildings had steep double sloped roofs.

In the u s the style was most popular in the 1860s through. In fact the second empire style is often called the mansard style. The mansard roof is actually one of the style s most distinguishing features. The dormer windows that penetrate the roof reveal its secret.